Clamping device



Nov. 15, 1955 R. F. HERR 2,723,805

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

; PICHHRD F HERR fiTTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 NOV. 15, 1955 Filed Sept. 3, 1953 Z 63 m n 2 L t? JN 1 Ed 2% E M M 1 w/ W. H a m; 8 ihim ii 3 I I INVENTOR. RICHHRD F HERR BY D fiTTon/vEv Nov. 15, 1955 Filed Sept. 3, 1955 R. F1 HERR CLAMPING DEVICE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

3 PIcHHRDFHERR ZW/Zm Nov. 15, 1955 R. F. HERR 2,723,805

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVEN TOR.

P/CHHRD F HERR fiTTORNEY Nov. 15, 1955 R. F. HERR 2,723,805

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Sept. 5, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR. TI ICHHRD F HERE 1 Nov. 15, 1955 R. F. HERR 2,723,805

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Sept. 3, 1953 6- Sheets-Sheet 6 y i l INVENTOR. RICHFIRD F HERR United States Patent CLAMPING DEVICE Richard F. Herr, Warren, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Herr Equipment Corporation, Warren, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 3, 1953, Serial No. 378,220 9 Claims. (Cl. 242-72 'My invention relates to clamping devices, more particularly to clamping devices for coiler reelsfor, sheet material, andthe principal object of my invention is to provide new and improved devices of the character described.

In clamping devices, especially for sheet-mill operation and sheet metal handling, great diflicultyhas been experienced in effectively and easily clamping the leading edge of a long strip of sheet-metal. Heretofore, this has been accomplished by various means, each of which is costly to manufacture and maintain, difficult and timeconsuming to operate, and often inefiective in securely clamping the sheet material.

My improved device provides a construction which is easily and economically manufactured, is comprised of parts which require little or no maintenance, and which is automatically adjustable to securely clamp sheet material of various gages. Further, my device quickly and positively releases the material so that it may be removed from the coiler reel with a minimum of delay.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application there is shown, for purpose of illustration, two embodiments which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure l is an end elevational view of a conventional coiler reel embodying my clamping device,

Figure 2 is an enlarged, broken sectional view generally corresponding to the line 2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view generally corresponding to the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but illustrating clamping action of my device,

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing certain parts in another position,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4 but taken along the line 66 of Figure 5,

e I Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 1 of another embodiment of my invention, certain parts being removed to show interior construction, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view responding to the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures generally cor- 1 through 6 is shown in combination with an expansiblecontractable reel 10. The reel illustrated'comprises a fixed reel segment 11 and movable segments 12 which are pivotally secured to the segment 11 at 13. An end plate 14 is provided at each end of the reel and each plate 14 is secured, by welding or the like, to the fixed segment 11 to provide an integral structure (see Figures 1, 2 and 5).

It is to be understood that the reel structure herein disclosed is illustrative only and that my invention may be used with other reels or with apparatus other than "reels.

'In the presently disclosed embodiment and as shown in Figures 1 through 6, each clamping member 15 comprises a round-headed pin having a reduced diameter shank portion 16. The clamping members, or pins, 15

2,723,805 Patented Nov. 15, 1955 are adapted to be carried, in spaced-apart relation, by an elongated body 17 which is supported adjacent to the periphery of the reel 10. A slot 18 extends longitudinally of the body 17 and is disposed at a slight angle to the axis of the pins 15 and a wear plate 19 is secured in the slot 18, as shown, by any suitablemeans for a purpose later to be disclosed. As will later become clear, the surface 20 of the wear plate 19 and the rounded-end portions of the pins 15 are cooperable to grip strip material therebetween.

As shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 6, the periphery of the'fixed reel segment 11 is notched outat 21 to form a seat for the body 17. Each of the end plates 14 is cut out at 22 (see Figure 3) to provide for assembly of the body 17 with the reel and the body 17 is secured to the reel by plates 23 that are secured to respective end plates 14 by screws 24 and to respective ends of the body 17 by screws 25 (see Figures 1 and 2).

[As before mentioned, the members 15 are carried in spaced-apart relation by the body 17am, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 6, each member 15 is closely receivable within respective bores 26 formed in the body 17 and which extendinwardly and upwardly (in the relation of parts shown) from the lower edge of the body. Each b'ore 26'is reduced in diameter at 27 to provide a shoulder 28 for a purpose to be shown. The body-17 has its upper portion formed to provide a longitudinally extending channel 29 adapted to receive a lower wedge member 30. The lower wedge member 30 is slideable longitudinally of the body 17 in the channel 29, the length of the wedge member 30 being less than the spacing between the plates 23, 23 so as to permit such longitudinal shifting.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 and with reference to the position of parts shown in these figures, the upper surface of the wedge member 30 is provided with upwardly inclined surfaces 31 (herein shown to be two in number) and the member 30 is provided with a vertically disposed, longitudinally extending slot 32 for a purpose later to be shown.

"An upper wedge member 33 is positioned on the wedge member 30 and thelower surface of the member 33 has inclined surfaces 34 which are complementary to the surfaces 31 of the member 30. As seen in Figures 2, 3 and 5, a channel 35 is formed in 'the member 33 to receive the member 30 and the length of the member 33 is such that opposite terminal portions thereof extend through'the respective cut-out portions 22 in the plates 14 and each terminal portion slideably engages the inner surface of a respective plate 23. Accordingly, it will be clear that the' wedge member 33 is held to movement transversely of its axis between the plates 23, 23 toward and away from the body'17 and the wedge member 30 is held to movement longitudinally of its axis between the member 33 and the body 17.

Each pin 15 is adapted to be received in its respective bore 26 with a spring 36 interposed between the headed portion'of the pin and the shoulder 28 in the body 17 (see Figure 3)." As illustrated, the shank portion 16 of each pin 15 extends through the slot 32in the member 30 and through respective apertures 37 in the member 33. A lock ringis secured to'the portion of the shank 16 which extendsbeyond the member 33'for a purpose to be disclosed and, as will be clear, each spring 36 yieldably urges its respective pin 15 to engagement with the surface 20 of the wear plate 19. Y

In the present embodiment, the member 33 is yieldably urged into engagement with the 'member' 30 by means of a spring 38 which is seated in a 'c'ounterbore in the member 33 and which engages under the head'of and surrounds the shank of a shoulder screw 39 which is threadably anchored in the body 17. Although only one screw 39 and spring 38 has been shown, it will be appreciated that two or more may be employed if desired.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 through 6, .a bolt 40 is rotatably carried by the left-hand (as viewed in Figures 2 and plate 23. Any suitable means may be employed to restrain the bolt against axial movement, for example, a collar 41 may be welded or otherwise secured to the bolt after it is assembled with the plate 23.

The threaded shank of the bolt 40 extends into and is threadably engaged with the left-hand end of the lower wedge member 30 as shown. As will be understood, rotation of the bolt 40 will effect axial movement of the lower wedge member 30 and thus effect transverse movement of the upper wedge member 33 because of interengagement between the inclined surfaces 31, 34.

Operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 through 6 is as follows: Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Figures 2 and 3, strip material S will be inserted between the pins and the wear plate 19 (see Figure 4). As the strip is inserted between the pins and the plate, the pins will be urged away from the plate against the pressure exerted by the springs 36 to thus permit entry of the strip. Because of the angularity between the surface of the plate 19 and the axes of the pins, each pin under the urging of its spring 36 will engage the strip with a wedging action that will effectively prevent withdrawal of the strip. With the strip thus securely clamped to the reel 10, rotation of the reel may now be effected in the usual manner to wind a quantity of strip thereon.

After a sutficient quantity of strip has been wound upon the reel 10 and it is desired to remove the coil thus formed, rotation of the reel will be stopped, the reel collapsed in the usual manner to reduce its external diameter, and the screw 40 then rotated to shift the lower wedge member from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 5.

It will be clear that as the member 30 is shifted to the position shown in Figure 5, the upper wedge member 33 will be shifted away from the body 17 thereby shifting the pins 15 in their respective bores against the urging of their respective springs 36 in a direction away from the wear plate 19 (see Figure 6). This will release the strip and permit the coiled strip to be removed from the reel 10.

After the coiled strip has been removed from the reel, the screw 40 will once again be rotated to shift the parts from the position shown in Figures 5 and 6 to the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. Obviously, the spring 38 (or springs if more than one is employed) assists the member 33 in returning to the position shown in Figure 2 and therefore relieves the springs .36 of this chore. Accordingly each spring 36 need only be strong enough to overcome the friction of its related pin 15.

The collapsed reel 10 may now be expanded and the foregoing cycle once again repeated.

In modern high-speed production, it is desirable to eliminate or simplify as many operations as possible. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, my invention may be so interconnected to an expansible-contractable reel that it will shift to and from strip-gripping position in accordance with expansion and contraction of the reel.

By way of illustration, I have shown my. clamping device applied to an expansible-contractable reel constructed in accordance with my co-pending application for Letters Patent, Serial Number 261,029, filed December 11, 1951, and entitled Reels For Use With Strip Material. It will be appreciated, however, that the present invention may be employed with other suitable reels.

Briefly, the construction shown in Figures 7 and 8 comprises a reel 10a having a fixed reelsegment 11a and movable segments 12a each having one end thereof pivotally' secured to the segment 11a at respective pivots 13a. As illustrated, the free ends of the segments 12a 4 are spaced apart when the reel is expanded as shown in Figure 7 and the space between the segments is occupied by a wedge-like member 50.

As illustrated, the reel 10a is built up about a hub 51 which provides a channel 52 adjacent the wedge-like member 50. A slide 53 is slideable within the channel 52 and links 54, only one of which is shown, are pivotally connected to the slide 53 and the wedge-like member 50. A shaft 55 supports the drum 10a for rotation, the shaft being secured within the hub 51 and extending beyond one end of the drum. As will be clear, the extending portion of the shaft 55 may be rotatably supported by any suitable means.

The shaft 55 provides an axially extending bore which slideably receives an actuating rod 56 and any suitable mechanism may be employed to shift the rod 56 in an axial direction for a purpose to be disclosed.

A cross-head 57 is secured to the rod 56 for movement in axial direction therewith, the upper portion of the cross-head being secured to the slide 53 by means of a screw 58 and the lower end of the cross-head being formed as shown (see especially Figure 7) so as to be receivable within a slot 59 formed in the lower cam member 30a of my clamping device.

As will be understood, the clamping device illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 is similar to that shown in Figures 1 through 6; however, in this embodiment, the screw 40 is eliminated and the member 30a is slotted at 59 to receive the cross-head 57. As illustrated in Figure 8, the slot 59 is elongated to provide a lost-motion connection between the cam member 30a and the cross-head 57 for a purpose to be shown.

Operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 7 and 8 is as follows: In the position of parts illustrated, the reel 10a is expanded and is ready to receive the strip material. It is only necessary to insert the material within the clamping device in the manner previously described and then rotate the reel to wind the material thereon.

When a .suflicient quantity of material has been wound upon the reel 10a and it is desired to remove the coil thus formed, rotation of the reel will be stopped and the rod 56 actuated to shift the cross-head 57 to its dot-dash line position (see Figure 8). This movement of the cross-head 57 will shift the slide 53 and move the links 54 to the dot-dash line position.

As the links 54 are moved to the dot-dash line position shown, they will move the wedge-like member 50 toward the axis of the reel and cause the segments 12a, 12a to rotate about their respective pivots to collapse the reel and thus reduce its external diameter.

As the cross-head 57 is moved to its dot-dash position, it will first move within the slot 59 Without shifting the lower wedge member 30a. However, after the cross-head 57 reaches the end of the slot, its continued movement will shift the member 30a to thus release the strip material from .the clamping device in the manner previously described with respect to Figures 1 through 6. It will be clear that the slot 59 is elongated to provide a lostmotion connection since the travel of cross-head 57 in collapsing the reel is considerably greater than the travel of member 30a in releasing the clamping device.

After the material has been released from the clamping device and the coiled material removed from the reel, rod 56 will be shifted so as to return the parts to the full-line position shown. This movement will once again expand the reel and return the clamping device to position wherein it is once again ready to receive and grip another portion of strip material.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal object of my invention and it will also be apparent to those skilled inthe art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that -315 the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described, hence :it willibe appreciated that the herein'disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

Iclaim: t

l. A clamping device for sheet material, comprising a clamping surface, a support memberhaving-bodily fixed relation with respect to said clampingsurface, a clamping member shiftably supported by said support member for movement in one direction along a predetermined path of travel toward said clamping surface to clamp material therebetween, resilient means yieldably urging said clamping member toward said clamping surface, and means for moving said clamping member in' the opposite direction against the urging of said resilient means along said predetermined path of travel away from said clamping surface to release said material.

2. A clamping device for sheet material, comprising a clamping surface, a support member having bodily fixed relation with respect to said clamping surface and having a guide-way arranged to provide a predetermined path disposed at an angle to said surface, a clamping member shiftable along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way in a direction toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and said clamping member, and body means movable toward and away from said support member and engageable with said clamping member for effecting movement of said clamping member in the opposite direction away from said clamping surface along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way to release said material.

3. A clamping device for sheet material, comprising a clamping surface, a support member having bodily fixed relation with respect to said clamping surface and having a guide-way arranged to provide a predetermined path disposed at an angle to said surface, a clamping member shiftable along the predetermined path provided by said guide-Way in a direction toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and said clamping member, body means movable toward and away from said support member and engageable with said clamping member, and means for effecting movement of said body means and consequent movement of said clamping member in the opposite direction away from said clamping surface along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way to release said material.

4. A clamping device for sheet material, comprising a clamping surface, a support member having bodily fixed relation with respect to said clamping surface and having a guide-way arranged to provide a predetermined path disposed at an angle to said surface, a clamping member shiftable along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way in a direction toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and said clamping member, body means movable toward and away from said support member and engageable with said clamping member, and Wedge means interposed between said body means and said support member and movable transversely of said guide-way for effecting movement of said body means and consequent movement of said clamping member in the opposite direction away from said clamping surface along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way to release said material.

5. A clamping device for sheet material, comprising a clamping surface, a support member having bodily fixed relation with respect to said clamping surface and having a guide-way arranged to provide a predetermined rectilinear path disposed at an angle to said surface, a clamping member shiftable along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way in a direction toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and said clamping member, resilient means yieldable urging said clamping member toward said clamping surface, body means movable toward and away from said support member and engageable with said clamping member, and

16 wedge means interposed between said body meansand said support-. member and movable transversely of said guide-way for effecting movement of said body means and consequent movement of said clamping member in the opposite direction against the urging of said resilient means away from said clamping surface along the predetermined path provided by said guide-way to release said material. r I t 6. A reel forsheet material and the like having a longitudinally extending opening formed in'its periphery, .comprising an elongated support member secured interiorly of said reel adjacent said longitudinally extending opening, said support member having a longitudinally extending clamping surface and also having a plu rality of spaced-apart guide-ways in fixed relation with respect to said clamping surface, each guide-way having a longitudinal axis which intersects said surface at a predetermined angle, a clamping member for each of said guide-Ways and each shiftable along its respective guide-way in a direction toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and respective said clamping members, resilient means yieldably urging said clamping members toward said clamping surface, and means for moving said clamping members in the opposite direction along respective said guide-ways against the urging of said resilient means away from said clamping surface to release said material.

7. A reel for sheet material and the like having a longitudinally extending opening formed in its periphery, comprising an elongated support member secured interiorly of said reel adjacent said longitudinally extending opening, said support member having a longitudinally extending clamping surface and also having a plurality of spacedapart guide-ways in fixed relation with respect to said clamping surface, each guide-way having a longitudinally axis which intersects said surface at a predetermined angle, a clamping member for each of said guide-ways and each shiftable along its respective guide-way in a direction toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and respective said clamping members, resilient means yieldably urging said clamping members toward said clamping surface, and wedge means having a first portion shiftable in a direction transversely of the axes of said guide-ways and having a second portion contiguous with said first portion engageable with said clamping members and shiftable by said first portion in a direction parallel to the axes of said guideways, movement of said Wedge means in one direction effecting movement of said clamping members along respective guide-ways against the urging of said resilient means away from said clamping surface to release said material.

8. Clamping means for sheet material and an expansible-contractable reel, the combination comprising a reel having a plurality of reel segments, one of said reel segments being fixed and the other of said reel segments being movable with respect to said fixed segment to expand and contract said reel, a support member secured in fixed relation to said fixed segment, said support member having a clamping surface and also having a plurality of guide-ways each arranged to provide a predetermined path disposed at an angle to said surface, a clamping member for each of said guide-ways each shiftable along the predetermined path provided thereby toward and away from said clamping surface, resilient means for urging each of said clamping members toward its respective said clamping surface, body means movable toward and away from said support member and engageable with each of said clamping members, wedge means interposed between said body means and said support member and movable transversely of said guide-ways and axially of said reel for effecting movement of said body means, and shiftable means engageable with said movable segments and also engageable with said wedge means, movement of said shiftable means in one direction effecting expansion of said reel and movement of said clamping members in respective said predetermined paths toward said clamping surface to clamp material between said surface and respective said clamping members, movement of said shiftable means in the opposite direction effecting contraction of said reel and movement of said clamping members in respective said predetermined paths against the urging of said resilient means and away from respective said clamping surface to release said material.

9. A clamping device for sheet material, comprising clamp means including a clamping surface portion and a clamping member portion mounted for relative movement toward and away from each other, resilient means for urging said clamping member portion toward said 15 clamping surface portion to clamp material positioned thcrebetween, and means for moving said clamping member portion against the urging of said resilient means and away from said clamping surface portion to release 5 clamped material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,625,506 Thomas Apr. 19, 1927 2,256,400 Matthews Sept. 16, 1941 2,564,482 Kentis, Jr. Aug. 14, 1951 2,630,278 Herman Mar. 3, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 679,925 Great Britain Sept. 24, 1953 

